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Hibiscus tea is made from Hibiscus sabdariffa -- a subtropical and topical flowering plant. Its flowers are used for medicinal purpose, making edible products and flavoring herbal beverages. Consuming hibiscus may impart some benefit such as stimulating weight loss, strengthening the immune system by providing vitamin C and antioxidants, reducing the intensity of hot flashes and solving dandruff and acne problems. Despite the benefits, hibiscus tea may have hazardous side effects.

Health Risk

Before adding hibiscus tea to your diet, consult your doctor about any preexisting health condition you may have. According to the Bastyr Center for Natural Health at the University of Pennsylvania, hibiscus tea may open and expand your blood vessels, which may increase your risk for heart disease. Drinking hibiscus tea daily may drop your systolic blood pressure. Avoid drinking hibiscus tea if you are taking medication for hypertension and low blood pressure unless your doctor tells you its ok.

Drug Interaction Risk

Hibiscus can interact with some medications. It has anticancer effects when taken with other anticancer agents and an additive effect when taken with antiviral agents. It decreases antimalarial efficacy of drugs such as chloroquine and quinine and alters some inflammatory agents processed by your body such as acetaminophen. If you are taking anti-inflammatory drugs, wait for at least two hours to consume hibiscus tea to avoid adverse side effects.

Keeping Risks in Perspective

It's always a good idea to watch out for potential interactions and side effects when adding a new food to your diet. And if blood pressure control is a problem for you, or you take medication that may interact with hibiscus tea, you should not drink it unless your doctor tells you it's ok. However, most of the studies on the effects of hibiscus tea relate to the tea extract, which is more concentrated than simply drinking the tea itself, and might amplify the potential risks. Talk to your doctor about your diet concerns to get the OK on whether you can include hibiscus tea in your diet — and if she gives the ok, enjoy!

About the Author

Roberta Anding has been writing professionally since 2005. She has specialized in writing topics related to nutrition, health, relationships and parenting. Her work has appeared on several online and offline publications including "Readers Digest." Anding holds a Master of Science in nutrition from Louisiana State University.